The roar of engines and the buzz of anticipation filled the air at Monza on September 4, 2025, as the first practice session for the 2025 Italian Grand Prix got underway. For fans and drivers alike, the legendary circuit delivered its usual blend of drama, surprises, and high-speed spectacle. With several storylines playing out—rookie debuts, penalties, and seasoned champions in new colors—the opening day set the stage for a weekend that promises plenty of twists and turns.
One of the most talked-about moments before the cars even hit the track was Lewis Hamilton’s revelation regarding his five-place grid penalty. The seven-time world champion, now donning Ferrari red for his first Italian Grand Prix with the Scuderia, admitted he was blindsided by the news after returning home from the Dutch Grand Prix. "I don't know how the other drivers have felt about the decisions of the last race, but I mean, I landed back home and then saw that I got this penalty and I was really, really shocked, to be honest. But I mean, it is what it is," Hamilton told reporters at Monza. The penalty, handed down by Dutch Grand Prix stewards for exceeding speed limits under double-waved yellow flags on a reconnaissance lap, was converted from a time penalty to a grid penalty after Hamilton crashed out of that race.
Hamilton’s candor about the challenge ahead was striking. "It's going to be challenging this weekend, because qualifying is already so close between us all. So just getting in Q3 is tough. Getting in the top five is very, very tough. And then on top of that, to then be set back five places is not great when you're going into your first Monza GP with Ferrari. But, you know, it gives me more to fight for. And I'm very motivated to make up those places regardless." The Brit also reflected on his Dutch Grand Prix crash, citing a combination of a downgraded gear shift, damp conditions, and a slight deviation from his usual line as contributing factors. "There are a combination of things. Either way, it's not great. And I learned from it and moved forward," he said, emphasizing the support he’s received from his Ferrari team and his optimism for the rest of the season.
While Hamilton’s penalty loomed large, the on-track action in first practice was equally compelling. Irish rookie Alex Dunne, stepping in for Oscar Piastri at McLaren during FP1, made his mark by finishing around 16th on the timesheets. Despite some early promise, Dunne’s session was hampered by traffic, notably being impeded by Haas driver Oliver Bearman. Bearman, who recently scored his first points since Bahrain at Zandvoort, was involved in several incidents, underscoring the intensity of midfield battles.
At the sharp end, Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc delighted the Tifosi by setting the fastest lap of the session—a 1:20.692, four-tenths clear of Red Bull’s Max Verstappen. But Leclerc’s afternoon wasn’t without controversy. The Monegasque was noted for a red flag infringement after overtaking a Sauber when the session was neutralized, forcing him to abort two flying laps. Leclerc radioed his team, describing it as a "tricky situation" to slow down in time, and the stewards are expected to review the incident. BBC F1 correspondent Andrew Benson observed, "Charles Leclerc is not having a very happy day. He'll be very nervous about that red flag."
The session wasn’t short on drama elsewhere. Kimi Antonelli, celebrating his 19th birthday over the summer break, locked up at Turn One and flat-spotted his soft tyres, relegating him to 13th, just behind Lando Norris. Over at Alpine, Paul Aron, subbing in for Franco Colapinto, found himself in the gravel at the second chicane but managed to recover with only a quick apology to his team. Isack Hadjar, another rookie, ran wide at the Ascari chicane, scattering gravel across the track and drawing the attention of race control for not using the escape road properly.
Strategy was already a talking point, with teams experimenting across the compound spectrum. Carlos Sainz, running hard tyres for Williams, slotted into second fastest, just behind Verstappen, who set his quickest time on softs. The session’s top ten also included heavy hitters like Lando Norris, Alexander Albon, and Fernando Alonso, each working through their own programs as they searched for the perfect Monza setup. Gabriel Bortoleto, piloting his Sauber, reported loose debris from a Williams as he pitted, adding to the day’s list of minor mishaps.
Elsewhere, the session offered a glimpse into the next generation of F1 talent. Liam Lawson, Yuki Tsunoda, and Lance Stroll all posted competitive times, while veterans like George Russell and Nico Hulkenberg kept a watchful eye on the evolving conditions. The presence of rookies like Dunne, Hadjar, and Aron highlighted F1’s ongoing youth movement, with each hoping to make a lasting impression at one of the sport’s most iconic venues.
For Ferrari fans, the sight of both Leclerc and Hamilton near the top of the timesheets was reason for cautious optimism. Leclerc’s victory at Monza last year, achieved on a one-stop strategy, remains fresh in the memory of the Italian faithful. Now, with Hamilton joining the fray, the Scuderia’s hopes for a home triumph are as high as ever—even if the grid penalty means Hamilton will have to fight his way through the pack on Sunday.
As the dust settles on first practice, all eyes turn to the second session, with teams eager to fine-tune their setups and drivers looking to stake their claim ahead of qualifying. With weather, strategy, and penalties all in the mix, the 2025 Italian Grand Prix weekend is shaping up to be a classic. Will Leclerc’s pace hold? Can Hamilton overcome his setback and thrill the Tifosi in scarlet? And which of the rookies will seize their moment under the Monza spotlight?
One thing’s for sure: with stories unfolding on and off the track, the Italian Grand Prix has once again cemented its status as a must-watch event on the Formula 1 calendar. The action is far from over, and the battles—both for pride and points—are just beginning to heat up in the Temple of Speed.
